Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-02-06
CONGRESSIONAL.
The Designs OF England and France in
Regard TO the Panama Canal lis
cussed in The Senate.
The Consular Appropriation Bill Debated
at Length by the House-SeveraI
Great Changes Proposed.
MIX CONGRE>S.
TIE SENATE.


the Indian appropriation bill, which con-
tsins ffty-two printed pages. 1t was
passed without u word Of discussion.
The Senate bill to incorporate the At
lantic aud Pacific Ship Railway Company,
the Eads Tehuantepec bill, was then
taken up as special order.
Senator Morgan, in an argument in
support of the bill, declared himself in
favor of policy like that embodied in
the resolution reported some years ago
by Senator Eaton of Connecticut, from
the committee on foreign relations, that
whatever transit there might be across
the Isthmus should be under the control
of the United States government either
absolutely and independently or in con-
neclion with the government through
whose territory it passed. As to the
Panama canal, be thought that the United
States government had been little dege-
Iict in not informing the French, if France
were the power behind the canal builders,
that this government mad an interest il
that question predominant over thai
of any other government in the
world, and that certain guarantees
were necessary 10 be given in relation to
the transit Of SHIPS through that canal
which would entirely satisfy the people
OF the United States that 10 peEce and in
war their interests in connection with
that transit were to be absolutely pre-
served 9nd protected. He mad read this
morning 9 letter from naval officer stat
ing that several large war vessels of
England and France were lying in the
ngighborh2 cd of the mouth of the Panama
canal, 0stensioly for the purpose
of transferring crews by the PaLama
Railroad between their Atlantic and
Pacific squadrons. He did not interpret
their presence there as being any sort of
threat, but he did interpret it as sign
that both these governments were on the
lookout Tor their interests in that quarter
This letter confirmed the belief which he
had had for long time that the islands
which lay So conveniently near to the
mouth Of the Panama canal would be
taken possession Of and fortified by one of
these grea. powers, which one he was not
prepared to determine. 1t would
be race of diligence he
thought as to which should get
ahead. His own belief was these gov
ernments were preparing to seize the
islands in the vicinity of that canal with
q view of having an Independent right to
them and the power of terrifying them at
their will and pleasure. "What foot
hold, he asked, chad the United States
in that section of the world; Nothing
except a precariOus paper right which it
had under the Clayton Bulwel treaty"
He referred to the fact of the British
government taking possession of the
Island of Cyprus in order to control the
Suez Canal.
Senator Hosr remarked that the sub
iect WAS a very important one; that it had
not been expected to come up, and that
consequently but few Senators were in the
chamber, and he suggested whether the
Senator would not prefer to continue his
speech on Monday.
Senator MCfgan said he would.
Senator Hale offered an amendment
thst except as to a guarantee of SG,70O,-
100, especially provided for in the bill,
the United States should be in no respect
whatever Liable for any debt or obligation
of the company. The Senate then ad-
journed.
THE HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. after presenta-
ton OF several bills and resolutions the
House went into committee of the whole
on the diplomatic and consular appro-
priation bill.
Mr.. Belmont of New York said in pre-
senting the bill to the House that the
committee on foreign affairs had consld-
cred it its duty 10 make certain changes
in the consular service. These changes,
however, were not In conflict with exist
ing laws, and therefore not amenable to q
point OF order under the rules OF the House.
They consisted Of transfers of certain
conSuls from one grade 10 another, and
the transfer of certain other consuls
from the Zee list to the salary list.
Another change was an increase of the
salary of the Minister to China. Our
relations were of such nature as to
make our mission there as important as
the mission to Russia or Germany.
- Mr.. McCreary of Kentucky, d member
OF the committee on foreign affairs, Cr-
posed the increase Of salary made by tie
bill. The bill appropriated $500 600
more than last year, and if other apprO-
Dr:a;ions were proportionately increased
the appropriations this year would eX-
coed those OF last yea more than $50.
J0C,C00. He did not wish to break
the good record which the pres
ent House had made in the direction
OF economy. He pointed out the items
OF increase OF the bill and cited instances
where the salaries of Consuis were
although they were now only re-
ceivlng fees running from $3.50 to $500.
# the bill became law in its present
shape the salaries of ConSulS VINO would
De transferred from the fee list to the
zalaTy list would receive six times the
amount of fees collected by them !
He opposed the increase OF .salass
OF the Minister to Mexico and the tappTo-
priation of &25,000 for the erection of
Legation building in Japan. He regarded /
this proposition as opening the door tn
the erection Of legation buildings everye
where and as aging the customs of the |
effete Rristocraey. He criticised the pro-
vision for the appointment of two consa-t
er INSPECTORS to ride with aristoersSs, |
line with the nobility, and dance with
Persian psincesses and to get for their |
rip $1,000 each and expenses. \
Mr.. Cox Of North Carolina defended the
sI and pointed out the necessity for the
appointment of consular inspectors, and
nongly advocated the proposed Changes
rom fee to salary system of =e5mpen
stion 10 console. In regard to leg4s
on building in Japan, he quoted fpdh
lie report of the Secretary of State recon-
lending its erection, on the ground that
was impossible to rent q build
ig suitable for legation pur- .